The Singapore Family Physician
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                                    Vol 41 No. 2 - Home Care
                                
                            
                        
                    
                    Assessment and Management of Dysphagia
                            
                                
                                    The Singapore Family Physician
                                    Vol 41
                                    No 2
                                    - Home Care
                                
                            
                        
                    
                                11
                                
                                    - 16
                                
                            
                        
                                
                                    1 July 2015
                                
                            
                        
                                0377-5305
                            
                        Dysphagia is a common problem among the elderly either as a result of age-related loss of musculature and function involved in the act of swallowing, and/or because of neurological, degenerative, respiratory and musculoskeletal diseases that cause decreased swallowing function. Assessment for dysphagia is important to prevent serious complications such as aspiration pneumonia. Referral to the speech-language therapist for comprehensive assessment paves the way for proper management. The management may include diet modification, compensatory swallowing techniques, swallowing exercises or use of feeding tubes and facilitative devices. 
                        